Hermann Sudermann

“ Marie. Perhaps!
Pastor. Pardon me--I will not question you. I wish to know nothing; that, in the end, is always the best. Did I not love you as well as myself, I would not speak another word; but as matters stand now, I will say one--aye, one more word--I would not have dared to say otherwise. The greatest, the highest thing one possesses in this world, is his life's melody--a certain strain that ever vibrates, that his soul forever sings--waking or dreaming, loudly or softly, internally or externally. ”

“ And now, dear uncle, you are at heart a good and kind man; but your hand is heavy, and it must not lie upon me again as that of the master. For that reason do I refuse to touch even one penny of the dowry, now or any other time.
Brauer. So, so! Then you are really afraid of me?
George. Afraid of you? Bah!!!
Brauer. And at heart you are nothing but a coward!!
George. Uncle, I forbid you----
Brauer. You forbid me? Ha! This is my house, and here I am the master!
[George shrugs his shoulders.]
Brauer. Yes, yes; it seems to annoy you to have any one keep an eye on you and your conduct----
George. ”

“ They are the spirits of our dead and perished wishes! That is the red plumage of our birds of paradise we might have petted and nursed through our entire lives, but have escaped us! That is the old chaos, the heathenism within us; and though we be happy in sunshine and according to law, to-night is St. John's night. To its ancient pagan fires I empty this glass. To-night they shall burn and flame up high--high--and again high! Will no one drink to my toast?
[Pause.]
Marie. [Trembling.] I will!
[They look into each other's eyes and clink glasses.]
Gertrude. [Hesitatingly.] I, too, George! ”

“ Marie. Ah, the world is large. I shall go far, far away, where no one will ever find me. No, no, not even you, George.
George. And if you should go to ruin out there?
Marie. Do not fear. I am the calamity child, the foundling. My hands are hard and callous--see, see! Just like my heart is, now. I will work and work, and toil, until I fall exhausted--then I will sleep and rest, until it is time for work again ”

“ Marie. How so?
George. Can you ask? Here in this house, to which we owe everything--both you and I? Where they gave us food, shelter and love? After all that, would you have the courage to destroy their happiness?
Marie. The good old pastor used to say: "You must have the courage to do everything, except to do wrong." I would even have the courage to do wrong.
George. Shall I put you to the test?
Marie. If you will give me your hand now and say to me: "Come, we will run away, through yonder garden gate--just as we are--now, this very moment"--you shall see how I will run! ”

“ How pious and tame you have suddenly become!
Marie. I am not pious.
George. What was that you said a few moments ago? "I am the calamity child. I am the child of misery; but I do not ask for charity." ”

“ Gertrude. But papa, dear, it is all your own arrangement!
Brauer. Of course, of course! what is a poor old man to do? Have you seen George this morning? [Gertrude shakes her head.] Such sloth! He does nothing but sleep, sleep, sleep.
Gertrude. He worked until very late last night, papa. At dawn this morning I saw his light still burning; and then it was past three o'clock.
Brauer. Yes, I must admit, he is diligent and industrious--but also stubborn--damned stubborn. [The last is said almost to himself. Aloud.] Has mama been down?
Gertrude. No, not yet.
Brauer. And Marie? has she returned? ”

“ May I come in, Miss Marie?
Marie. Oh, is that you? Yes, come in!
Katie. I see you are working on Miss Gertrude's wedding outfit. How beautiful, fit for a princess. But what I wanted to ask you: Madame has given me the menu for the wedding feast, and as to fish, it calls for carp. Now you know I am economical, but carp--common carp----
Marie. Why, carp is a very fine fish----
Katie. ”

“ George. She is waiting, behind yonder garden hedge.
Marie. My God! Do not keep her waiting any longer; call her in here.
George. Gertrude is still in the house.
Marie. I will get her out of the way. When I appear out there on the veranda, the coast is clear!!
George. Marie, for your own sake, I warn you for the last time; discovery means certain disaster.
Marie. One disaster more or less, it matters little!
George. Is that your last word? Very well, I will bring her to you. [Gets his hat and goes out centre door.]
Marie. [Opens door L. and calls out.] Gertrude! Gertrude! ”

“ Do you want to know what it is, Pastor? It is, "Thou shalt steal. Steal everything for thyself--thy life's happiness--thy love--all--all. Only others will enjoy it in the end." Yes, Pastor, my mother is a thief. On St. John's eve she came stealthily over yonder garden hedge; and as my mother, so am I! And now, Pastor, ask me no more; I need all my senses, for to-day my entire happiness is at stake! There--now you know all!
Pastor. Yes, now I know! Farewell, Miss Marie. I will forget this day, perhaps; you--never----
[Exit.]
Gertrude.
[Enters door L.] Was that George, who just now left? ”

“ George. Not until after the wedding, dear uncle.--Good-morning, auntie. [Kissing her hand.] Well, little one? [Kissing her.]
Gertrude. [Leans on him lovingly.] My George. [Laughs suddenly.] Oh, just look! he is simply covered with hay!
George. Then you may make yourself useful by brushing me off.
Brauer. The hayloft seems to be your favorite sleeping-place lately.
George. Sleep? Heavens! who could sleep in this weather? I roam about. Lord knows where, over meadows and fields. Such St. John days!!! It's enough to drive one mad. The days never seem to end. ”

“ Well, girls, have you prepared the pastor's eggnog?
Marie. Oh, I had entirely forgotten it.
Brauer. Then see to it at once. And don't forget the sugar, you know.
Marie. Yes, papa.
Brauer. And Gertrude dear, you can go and help her. It is time you were learning to do something yourself.
Gertrude. Yes, papa!
Marie. I hardly think it will be ready in time to take with you and mama.
Brauer. Then bring it later--yourself.
Marie. [With a glance at George.] Could not Gertrude bring it, papa? I have so much work to do!
Gertrude. No, no, papa!!! ”

“ Brauer. But after to-day--what about that? Who can look into the future? Who can look into your heart and read your thoughts? Who knows what may happen over night, eh?
George. Uncle, these are insults I will not endure, even from you----
Brauer. Well! What then! Come on! [Jumps up, facing him, ready to fight.]
Mrs. Brauer. [Enters, ready to go out, dressed.] Henry, what on earth have you done to Gertrude? She is in her room, crying as if her heart would break.
[Marie has also come in with Mrs. Brauer .]
Brauer. How is the eggnog getting on, Marie?
Marie. It is not quite done, papa! ”

“ Brauer. But you can do that later, can't you?
Marie. I fear I might forget it.
Brauer. Very well; I am going down to look after the cow. Will you come, wife?
Mrs. Brauer. [Rising and putting up her handwork.] Yes, dear.
Brauer. [To Marie.] And one thing more,--don't you put your foot outside of the gate without an escort hereafter! Understand? Not once!
Marie. But why not, papa dear?
Brauer. After what has happened? But I never heard of such a thing--never, as long as I----
Mrs. Brauer. But, Henry, in broad daylight, it is hardly necessary----
Brauer. ”

“ George. [Enters.] Here she is!!
Gypsy. [Enters. George goes out on veranda, looking off.] Mine lady, mine daughter--yes--don't be afraid. Oh, you are such a fine lady--you have lover--you marry, they say----?
Marie. [Forcing herself to speak.] No; I'm not to be married! It is Gertrude, my foster sister.
Gypsy. You no marry, eh? Never mind--you marry some day--some day [Examining Marie's dress with her fingers.] What a fine dress you have, and all wool---- [Same with apron.] ”

“ Gertrude. Just wait, Marie, dear. [Sings.]
"In a year, in a year, when the nightingale comes----"
Marie. [Intensely.] When the nightingale comes?
Gertrude. You will be Pastor's wife. [Laughs.]
[Marie, with one braid in her hand, bending back, laughing loudly and forced.]
Gertrude. [In pain.] Oh, you are pulling my hair----
Marie. Any one as happy as you should be able to bear a little pain. There! I will braid it into your hair--for you are happy, are you not? Very happy?
Gertrude. Yes! I am--that is--I would like to be--but George--he is so sad. ”

“ Brauer. [Alarmed.] Wha---- The devil you say! H'm! Who--who has seen her?
Paul. She was seen begging in the village--and last night, one of my men observed her creeping stealthily around the sheds yonder.
Brauer. [Scratching his head.] Yes, yes! I had almost forgotten. She has served her last sentence--fully five years!--we have been free from her annoying presence and now, she has returned. Well, what does she want?
Paul. She has heard her daughter is about to be married, she says.
Brauer. [Laughs.] Her daughter? ha, ha! I see! no doubt she has learned of Gertrude's betrothal. Well? ”

“ Once every year we have "free night." Then the witches ride upon their brooms--the same brooms with which their witchcraft was once driven out of them--with scornful laughter the wild hordes sweep across the tree-tops, up, up, high upon the Blocksberg! ”

“ George. [Startled and simultaneously.] What--I?
Brauer. Certainly! Why not?
Pastor. Pray do not think me obtrusive; but I am at your service.
Brauer. No, no, thank you. Pastor; your time will come some other day. [Aside.] It will at least give him something to do. [Meaning George.]
Gertrude. I want to go too, papa! I love moonshine promenades.
Brauer. No, no, my pet. In the first place, it is very improper for lovers to be out so late at night, without a chaperon.
Marie. I would much prefer to go alone. I am not at all afraid--and I do not wish to trouble George--or any one else----
Brauer. ”

“ Then it is, when in our hearts awake those wild desires which our fates could not fulfill--and, understand me well, dared not fulfill--then, no matter what may be the name of the law that governs the world on that day, in order that that one single wish may become a reality, by whose grace we prolong our miserable existence, thousand others must miserably perish. ”

“ Mrs. Brauer. Why, of course, the poor old soul.
Pastor. Do not say that, madame; for when the time has come when all our wishes and hopes and desires are concentrated upon a small quantity of sweets, our sufferings are near the end. And now, adieu. Miss Marie, adieu.
Marie. [Preoccupied.] Adieu.
[Pastor exits, accompanied by Brauer .]
[Gertrude enters.]
Mrs. Brauer. Don't be afraid dear, no one will scold you.
Gertrude. Oh mama, I'm so ashamed of myself. When he arrived he seemed so jolly--and now--I am sure he is offended.
George. He was not offended, dear, only a little grave. ”

“ George. If I should die--or----
Gertrude. [Embracing him.] No, no! Don't say that! Don't say that!!!
[Marie appears in door, seeing embrace.]
George. [Startled.] Some one is here----
Gertrude. It is only Marie.
Marie. [Pointedly.] You seem to be particularly affectionate to-day.
Gertrude. [Miffed.] We always love each other. Oh, perhaps that doesn't please you----
Marie. It is nothing to me!
Gertrude. [Half Jesting.] Besides, what do you want here? Isn't there anything to do in the kitchen?
Marie. [Stung, but controlling herself.] Mama has sent me----
Gertrude. ”

“ Pastor. Just three weeks ago.
Mrs. Brauer. And do you like our town?
Pastor. Very much indeed, thank you. I find the whole world beautiful; but the surroundings here are exceptionally so. Yes, this place to me seems doubly attractive, for here every one seems smiling and happy---- Pardon me. Miss, you have dropped the napkin.
[Marie smilingly bows her acknowledgment.]
[Gertrude exits, stifling a laugh.]
Brauer. Pastor, you will pardon this rudeness, she is still a child.
Pastor. Oh, certainly, certainly; for she is right. ”

“ Brauer; won't you please try and get Miss Marie to take a little rest? She has been hard at work since two o'clock this morning, and all day yesterday she was in the city. She can't stand it.
Mrs. Brauer. Oh, on a day like this, we must all put our shoulders to the wheel.
Katie. Ah, Mrs. Brauer, you and I are old, and not much good for anything but work; but we must spare our young people. Why, at times she almost gives out.
Mrs. Brauer. Well, I will come and see for myself.
Katie. Thank you!!! Oh, such a day!!! I am so happy---- [Exit both L.]
Brauer. [Enters with George and Gertrude.] ”

“ Brauer. Come along, Pastor!
[Exit Brauer, George, Gertrude and Mrs. Brauer .]
Pastor. Won't you accompany us, Miss Marie?
Marie. No, thank you, Pastor!
Pastor. Then may I remain with you for a while?
Several Voices. [Outside, calling.] Pastor, Pastor!
Pastor. [Speaks through door.] I will be with you in a moment! [To Marie.] Well, may I!
Marie. Why, certainly, if it gives you pleasure!
Pastor. Pleasure is hardly the proper word. I wanted to thank you for insisting upon my writing the bridal-poem. It has been a work of pleasure, I assure you. Do you like it?
Marie. It is very nice. Pastor! ”